Patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) experience intrusive symptoms and reduced functional capacity, all of which has a significant impact on their well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).1
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Upon receiving a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), patients may experience feelings of hopelessness, coupled with disbelief and possibly denial.They may also experience relief that it is not cancer, but shock over the poor prognosis, with many being unprepared to contemplate death.2 As patients cope with a diagnosis of IPF, they display adaptive and maladaptive reactions, which present as different typologies (see figure below).2 A patient may experience several typologies before a dominant one emerges, influencing their coping strategy and their interaction with healthcare providers.
Patient adaptation to a diagnosis of IPF2
As the disease progresses, patients with IPF experience substantially impaired HRQoL in terms of their physical health and level of independence.3 Symptoms that have considerable impact include cough, dyspnoea, reduced physical functioning, anxiety and depression and sleep problems (see figure below).3,4
NREM: non-rapid eye movement; REM: rapid eye movement
- Swigris JJ, et al. Patients’ perspectives on how idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis affects the quality of their lives. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2005;3:61.
- Conoscenti CS, et al. Patient Journey With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): A Breathtaking Experience. 2013.
- Swigris JJ, et al. Health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review. Thorax 2005;60:588–594.
- Rasche K, et al. Sleep and breathing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. J Physiol Pharmacol Off J Pol Physiol Soc 2009;60 Suppl 5:13–14.